The National Trust for Scotland announced on June 4 that it had received an anonymous donation of £625,000 for its Mackintosh Illuminated project.
The initiative is described as one of Scotland’s “most ambitious cultural heritage projects”, aiming to raise £14million of a £20million total target.
Mackintosh Illuminated is a major conservation, engagement and fundraising project centred around two of Glasgow’s publicly accessible Mackintosh sites — the Hill House in Helensburgh and The Mackintosh Tearooms on Sauchiehall Street.
The project also seeks to deepen public understanding of the artist’s wife, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, and the pair’s “immense artistic contribution, creative partnership and influence” that helped shape the Glasgow style.
The donation represents one of the largest private gifts ever received by the National Trust for Scotland, and the largest received by the project to date.
It arrives as the conservation charity begins vital fundraising ahead of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s birthday on June 7.
The National Trust for Scotland received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in late 2024, which awarded £1.1million in development funding towards the wider £20million goal.
The charity has now entered a crucial fundraising phase to help secure the future of the project ahead of 2028, which will mark 100 years since Mackintosh’s death.
The mystery donation also comes during a period of growing interest in Mackintosh’s legacy, with renewed focus on the conservation of the Hill House, including removing damaging moisture from the building beneath its protective original roughcast.
Work is also underway at The Mackintosh Tearooms on Sauchiehall Street to strengthen interpretation, visitor engagement and future programming.
National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Phil Long OBE said: “This gift is so appreciated by all of us at the National Trust for Scotland, and indeed, everyone who has an affection for Mackintosh.”
“Building on the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have ambitious plans to shine a light on the work of Mackintosh and Macdonald, to continue our pioneering conservation work at the stunning Hill House and to bring all of this to people in Scotland and beyond.”
“As an independent charity, donations are vital to making this work possible and we hope that we can inspire others to support our Mackintosh Illuminated appeal.”
Ali MacLeod, Head of Fundraising at the National Trust for Scotland, said: “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary leadership gift, which shines a powerful light on the lasting importance of Mackintosh and Macdonald’s creative legacy.”
“It is through the generosity of donors like this that we can safeguard these remarkable places and stories, while inspiring the designers, artists and makers of today and tomorrow.”
“Every gift, no matter the size, adds to something bigger – helping us reveal new layers of Scotland’s globally celebrated creativity.”
“This is a shared endeavour, and we warmly invite others to be part of this exciting journey to protect, celebrate and reimagine this legacy for future generations.”
To donate to the National Trust for Scotland’s Mackintosh Illuminated project, visit here.
